The EXL lab is excited to announce The World Beneath Our Feet, a new urban hiking series that explores the layers of history that live under the concrete landscapes of Greater Los Angeles! For our first journey, we will take the Old Salt Road from USC to the Village of Yaanga. We’ll stop for lunch and local history near el Pueblo, and end at the Buena Vista Viewpoint, which sits atop the terraced hillside known by the Kizh-Gabrieleño as Mowanga, offering an excellent view of the LA River looking north.

Take a break from studying and come meditate with Mindful USC at Santa Monica Pier! We will be meeting bright and early to head to the beach, where we will enjoy the sun and the waves and wrap up the fall semester in the best way possible.

Join us (myself and Professor Pizzati AND Economics Association) for an easy 3-mile loop the Sunday before Thanksgiving break! We’ll be hiking Temescal Canyon Trail, a Pacific Palisades hike offering '“the best of both ocean and canyon views.” If we get lucky we might pass by a (small) waterfall, and with/without luck we’ll get to see the awesome Skull Rock! Please join us, very easy, very fun!

End (or start — we can discuss whether Sunday is really the beginning of a week) your week the right way with this short 2 mile, 340 elevation-gain hike in Coldwater Canyon Park! We’ll be with Miki Turner, the goddess of the camera and her dog Rosa (yes, named after Rosa Parks). You won’t want to miss this one :)

Start your birding career!

Join us for a very chill 3 mile hike in the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park with Professor Alvarez. This site is full of large, unique rick formations that have been featured in many different TV shows. We will also be doing rock scrambling! This is a perfect hike to end your midterm season on, enjoy breathtaking rock views, and hear about all the dance shows Professor Alvarez has been on.

Shake off the Sunday scaries with a beautiful hike in the Malibu Creek State Park. Join avid hiker and PhD student Rachel Newman for this 3.3 mile hike that ends with beautiful ocean views.

Views of the ocean, rolling green hills, and good conversations (maybe in Spanish??). Join us for a mellow 3-mile hike on a cool fall morning in the hills of Malibu with Professors Mercedes and Uzquiano! Chances of seeing ruins, waterfalls, and wildflowers.

Join us on a wonderful hike through the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest. We’ll climb some hills, cross some streams, and talk with everyone’s favorite Pop Musicology professor, Nate Sloan!

Rock scrambling! A great view of the grassy valley! Come along and explore the Cave of Munits! This hike will take us on a 2 mile loop to a great spot for some light cave climbing and exploration, with a great view from the top of this small peak!

The early bird gets the worm 🪱! Join us for a sunrise hike with (weather permitting) breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This is a popular 5.3 mile out-and-back, so let’s beat the crowds together and get back just in time for your 9am 🙈.

Unwind before finals with a quick morning jaunt through an urban “forest.” This 3 mile hike captures views of LA, a serene pond, and rumors have it there are turtles… 🐢

This 3-4 mile hike is pretty flat and relatively easy, with the highlight being the big picturesque rock pool shaded by sycamores and bays, with views of the Santa Monica mountains all around!

Stunning ocean views, vibrant wildflowers, and a sneak peak of Catalina in the background? What better way to start off your weekend? Come join us with Professor Rita Barakat for a gorgeous 4.4-mile scenic hike!

Join us on this 2.1-mile, 400 feet elevation gain hike with Communication professor Jillian Pierson! We’ll see some wildflowers and views of the San Gabriel Valley mountains along the way and be back just in time for the spring football game!

Join Peaks & Professor Tim Kobza on this quick hike through the Santa Monica Mountains! We will leave campus around 8am before driving to the trailhead in Topanga. After hiking about 45 minutes by the creek (with some crossings), we will arrive at the beautiful waterfall, where we can hang out and enjoy the view before heading back.

Come KAYAKING and (maybe) SNORKELING on the beautiful Catalina Island with Professor David Hutchins! We’ll be going on a guided kayak tour at the Wrigley Institute, with possible opportunity for snorkeling in the nearby bay. Then, we’ll eat lunch and walk through the Wrigley Marine Institute on the island.

The early bird gets the worm 🪱! Join us for a sunrise hike with (weather permitting) breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This is a popular 5.3 mile out-and-back, so let’s beat the crowds together and get back just in time for your 9am 🙈.

An Architect on a Peaks Hike?! Sign up for an easy hike around Lake Hollywood and get a chance to talk to and learn from USC Architecture Professor Taka Tachibe!!

After all the rain in Southern California, how could we miss the greenery! Join us as we hike through the luscious Topanga Canyon on a 4.6mi loop with Professor Elizabeth Durst. Come frolic in the spring air and wildflowers as we get a break between midterms and finals.

Join us on a wonderful sunday stroll up and back trail near Topanga, California in Malibu Creek State Park! This hike is just moderately challenging, with the views of birds and greenery (particularly wild grown mushrooms) even more challenging to believe! The hike is 3.3 miles, but could be muddy so bring shoes you’re not terribly emotionally attached to at the moment. We are leaving at 8 am to get to the trail as the sun rises and enjoy the lovely UV, and to get back to qualm the Sunday carries.

Join Professor Tucker and Lily on a 5-mile hike to Dawn Mine. We’ll cross some streams and go through the forest in search of an old mine and water pump. Will we find it? You’ll have to join us to find out!

Start your birding career!

Come join soak up some iconic beach views on this 2 mile nature walk in Palos Verdes! This is a super chill hike with great views and great conversation, so get psyched! We will be doing the Terranea Discovery Trail with Dr. Lacy Olson-Ayala of Psychology.

Get ready to tap all the way up this classic 3.5 mile trail to the best waterfall within 30 minutes of campus with Professor Rodgers from Kaufman! Specializing in tap and jazz dance, Professor Rodgers is your go to for any new moves you want to bust out at the next function. Be sure to ask him about his travels around the globe and all the many choreographed pieces made for Disney, Gatorade, Microsoft and more!

Looking for something to bring your crush to? Start Valentine’s Day off early with a (hopefully) beautiful sunrise hike joined by Professor Rebecca Broyer! Join us on this 2.6 mile loop; with minimal cloud coverage and a bit of luck, experience a once in a lifetime LA sunrise and hike to Griffith Observatory ♡

Rock scrambling! A great view of the grassy valley! Come along and explore the Cave of Munits! This hike will take us on a 2 mile loop to a great spot for some light cave climbing and exploration, with a great view from the top of this small peak!